This year’s battle with border rival Kansas will be played on a Friday night.
Mizzou announced Friday afternoon that its 2026 Border War showdown with the Jayhawks will be played on Sept. 11. That’s a slight shift from the previously announced schedule, which had the former Big 8 foes meeting on Sept. 12.
The Border War is one of college football’s oldest rivalries, with its roots dating back to 1891. The series went on a hiatus when Mizzou left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012, but both sides came together to reignite the tradition last season.
Mizzou won the meeting in Columbia, 42-31. That extended a streak of 4 consecutive victories over Kansas dating back to the 2009 season.
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The 2026 meeting will take place in Lawrence, Kansas, home of the Jayhawks. That’ll mark the first time Mizzou has played Kansas in Lawrence since 2005. The series shifted to Kansas City for the last 5 meetings before it was paused.
Kansas has won 7 of the last 8 games played in Lawrence.
The Jayhawks went 5-7 last season. Head coach Lance Leipold (27-35 at the school) returns in 2026, though he did switch up his staff this offseason, bringing back offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Kansas opens its 2026 season at home against LIU on Friday, Sept. 4. Mizzou will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 5. Assuming that date doesn’t change, the Jayhawks will have a slight rest advantage for their Week 2 matchup.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
